Remote Airline, Baggage Check-in service starts; designed to shorten lines, reduce traffic at the airport

In an effort to increase security and improve traveler satisfaction, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has started Remote Airline and Baggage Check-In service.

The new Remote Airline and Baggage Check-In service will allow domestic travelers to obtain boarding passes and check-in luggage at designated “remote locations” prior to their arrival at LAX.

With this service, travelers will no longer have to wait in long lines to check-in their luggage and receive a boarding pass at the airport, officials said.

The first service operation will begin at the Van Nuys FlyAway terminal.

The traveler’s luggage will be checked and transported on the FlyAway bus and then screened separately at LAX. Once the FlyAway bus arrives at LAX, passengers will be able to proceed directly to passenger screening.

“Remote Airline and Baggage Check-In for LAX travelers is a key element of the LAX Customer Service Improvement Program,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“This service is unique and focuses on both efficiency and safety.”

Currently, the service is available on domestic flights operated by American, American Eagle, Alaska, Continental, Delta, Horizon, Northwest, Ted, United and United Express/Skywest airlines. Additional airlines are expected to join the program soon.

The service will be expanded to the Union Station FlyAway on Monday, September 18th, and the Port of Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal on Sunday, September 24th.

Other locations, including hotels and parking lots will be added beginning in October.

With shorter lines and fewer people waiting in line, LAX will experience more internal mobility, and airport security will have an easier time monitoring all internal and external airport functions, officials said.

Villaraigosa and representatives from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the airlines and the Transporation Security Administration (TSA) inaugurated the new service during a ceremony at the Van Nuys FlyAWay Bus Terminal.

The Van Nuys FlyAway serves up to 90,000 passengers monthly and the Union Station FlyAway served more than 100,000 travelers during the first six months of service, which began in March.

Passengers using the new service will be able to proceed directly to passenger security upon arrival at LAX.

The new service is the first in the United States to combine remote airline check-in with an ongoing airport bus service, said LAWA executive director Lydia Kennard.

“LAWA is exploring other future locations such as airport parking lots, hotels and rental car facilities and possibly an off-airport drive-through facility.”

She added that as LAWA expands the FlyAway bus service program beyond Van Nuys and Union Station to other Southern California sites in the next few years, remote check-in will be included in the start-of-service.

“The implementation of new tools like remote baggage check-in enhances both customer service and security experience. TSA recognizes the value in remote baggage check-in as it enhances security by reducing congestion in our terminals and moves passengers through the ticketing and check-in process in a timely manner.